Phytochemical constituents and Mineral Nutrient Composition of Edible Wild Plants in Kashere, Gombe State – Nigeria

Abstract

Phytochemical constituents and Mineral Nutrient Composition of Solvent extracts of Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae), Detarium microcarpum (Caesalpinioideae) and Echinacea angustifolia DC(Compositae) were investigated. Dried powdered samples of the same plants were analyzed for their proximate composition. The results showed that most of the important secondary metabolites were present including alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phlabotannin, anthraquinone, resin, Terpenoid and glycosides. The proximate composition of Sassafras albidum revealed 62.5% moisture content, 71.0% ash, 67.0% fiber, 13.33% fat, 0.79% protein, Detarium microcarpum has 2.0% moisture, 3.5% ash, 0.83% protein, 6.67% fat and 79% carbohydrate. Echinacea angustifolia DC on the other hand showed 32.5% moisture, 93.0% ash, 10.0% fiber, 3.33% fat, 3.33% protein. The elements with health benefit such as Fe, Ca, and Zn were found to be present in the three plants extracts. Fe was high in Echinacea angustifolia DC (46.07ppm), Ca was high in Detarium microcarpum (186.74ppm), and Zn was high in Sassafras albidum (51.05ppm).